← Back to Adaptation Financial Advisors Inc. profile
ADAPTATION WRAP BROCHURE-SEPT 2026
Adaptation Financial Advisors Inc. (CRD 309192), brochure dated October 4, 2026. Text extracted from the firm's SEC Form ADV Part 2 brochure.
View firm on SEC ↗ · Current Form ADV (PDF) ↗
Item 1 – Cover Page
Wrap Fee Brochure
Appendix 1 of Form ADV Part 2A
Adaptation Financial Advisors Inc.
700 Cedar Lake Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73114
405-478-7700
www.adaptadvisors.com
September 16, 2026
This Wrap Fee Brochure (“Wrap Fee Brochure”) provides information about the qualifications and
business practices of Adaptation Financial Advisors Inc. (“Adaptation Financial,” “us,” “we,” or
“our”). If you have any questions about the contents of this Wrap Fee Brochure, please contact us
at 405-478-7700. The information in this Wrap Fee Brochure has not been approved or verified by
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities
authority.
Adaptation Financial is a registered investment adviser. The registration of an investment adviser
does not imply any level of skill or training. The oral and written communications made to you by
Adaptation Financial, including the information contained in this Wrap Fee Brochure, should
provide you with information to determine whether to hire or retain Adaptation Financial as your
adviser. Additional information about Adaptation Financial is also available on the SEC’s website
at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The SEC’s website also provides information about any persons
affiliated with, registered, and required to be registered as investment adviser representatives of
Adaptation Financial.
i
Appendix 1 Form ADV Part 2A - Wrap Fee Brochure
The LeGaye Law Firm, PC
Item 2 – Material Changes
This Wrap Fee Brochure reflects the current wrap fee advisory services of Adaptation Financial as
of the date set forth on the cover and is posted on the SEC’s public disclosure website (“IAPD”) at
www.advisorinfo.sec.gov.
The “material changes” made to this Brochure are set forth below since our last delivery or posting
on the SEC’s public disclosure website and include a number of non-material minor editorial
changes. Our Wrap Fee Brochure is also available on our website www.adaptadvisors.com, free
of charge, or may be requested by contacting Alan Niemann, CEO at 405-478-7700.
•
Item 4 Investment Products – Added that the firm may recommend structured notes as part
of a client’s investment portfolio.
•
Item 6 Investment Strategy Risks – Added risks associated with the recommendation of
structured notes.
ii
Appendix 1 Form ADV Part 2A - Wrap Fee Brochure
The LeGaye Law Firm, PC
Item 3 -Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page ....................................................................................................................... i
Item 2 – Material Changes ........................................................................................................... ii
Item 3 -Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ iii
Item 4 – Services, Fees and Compensation ................................................................................. 1
Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Ownership ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Wrap Fee Program Services ...................................................................................................................... 1
Investment Products .................................................................................................................................. 2
Assets Under Management ....................................................................................................................... 2
Wrap Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................... 2
Transaction Fees and Expenses ............................................................................................................ 4
Important Information Regarding Fees ................................................................................................. 4
Conflict of Interest Disclosure .............................................................................................................. 4
Termination ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Special Situations ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Custody ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Retirement Accounts – DOL Disclosure................................................................................................... 6
Item 5 – Account Requirements and Types of Clients .............................................................. 6
Item 6 – Portfolio Manager Selection and Evaluation .............................................................. 7
Portfolio Manager Selection ..................................................................................................................... 7
Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Related Persons Acting as Portfolio Manager ...................................................................................... 7
Analysis Methods ................................................................................................................................. 8
Sources of Information ......................................................................................................................... 8
Investment Strategies ............................................................................................................................ 9
Investment Strategy Risks..................................................................................................................... 9
Voting Client Securities .......................................................................................................................... 12
Item 7 – Client Information Provided to Portfolio Managers ................................................ 12
Item 8 – Client Contact with Portfolio Managers .................................................................... 12
Item 9 – Additional Information ............................................................................................... 12
Disciplinary ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................................................... 12
Insurance Agent .................................................................................................................................. 12
iii
Appendix 1 Form ADV Part 2A - Wrap Fee Brochure
The LeGaye Law Firm, PC
Code of Ethics ......................................................................................................................................... 13
Personal Trading ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................ 14
Reports .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation .............................................................................................. 14
Discretion ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Financial Information .............................................................................................................................. 15
Item 10– Requirements for State-Registered Advisers ........................................................... 15
iv
Appendix 1 Form ADV Part 2A - Wrap Fee Brochure
The LeGaye Law Firm, PC
Item 4 – Services, Fees and Compensation
Overview
Adaptation Financial Advisors Inc. (also referred to as “Adaptation Financial,” “we,” “our,” “us”
or the “firm”) is an investment adviser, registered with the SEC and either registered and or notice
filed in the respective state jurisdictions in which it provides advisory services. Its principal place
of business is located in Oklahoma City, OK. Adaptation Financial provides individualized
investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to its clients. Additional
information about the investment management and financial planning services offered by
Adaptation Financial is available in the firm's Form ADV Part 2A Brochure, which can be
requested by contacting the firm or is publicly available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
Ownership
Adaptation Financial is a subsidiary of APN Adaptation Financial Holdings LLC, an Oklahoma
limited liability company (“APN Adaptation Financial Holdings”). APN Adaptation Financial
Holdings is the majority shareholder of Adaptation Financial. The Alan P. Niemann Trust is the
sole member of APN Adaptation Financial Holdings, and Alan P. Niemann is the Trustee for the
Trust. Adaptation Financial was organized in February 2020 and is an investment adviser
registered with the SEC.
Wrap Fee Program Services
Wrap Fee Program clients of Adaptation Financial will receive portfolio management, custodial,
reporting, and clearing services for one all-inclusive fee. The services include assisting clients in
assessing their current financial situation, financial goals, and attitudes towards risk, and
recommending an appropriate asset allocation. Once a client approves an asset allocation, the
individual portfolios will be managed by the firm on a discretionary basis, where clients give the
firm discretion to make all investment-related decisions. Portfolios will be invested in a variety of
investment classes, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds, among
others. Ultimately, the firm not only makes recommendations related to investments but also
implements these recommendations and provides ongoing monitoring and reporting.
Adaptation Financials investment decisions are made in accordance with the fiduciary duties owed
to its clients, without consideration of Adaptation Financials economic, investment or other
financial interests. To meet its fiduciary obligations, Adaptation Financial attempts to avoid,
among other things, investment or trading practices that systematically advantage or disadvantage
certain client portfolios, and, accordingly, Adaptation Financials policy is to seek fair and equitable
allocation of investment opportunities/transactions among its clients to avoid favoring one client
over another over time. It is Adaptation Financials policy to allocate investment opportunities and
1
transactions it identifies as being appropriate and prudent among its clients on a fair and equitable
basis.
Investment Products
Our investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a
broker-dealer or insurance company, and will generally include advice regarding equity securities,
warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal securities,
investment company securities, U.S. Government securities, options contracts on securities and
ETFs, including ETFs in the gold and precious metal sectors. Insurance products may also be
recommended when we deem such an investment to be appropriate. Because some types of
investments involve additional degrees of risk, they will only be implemented/recommended when
consistent with the client's stated investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity, and suitability.
You may request that we refrain from investing in particular securities or certain types of securities.
You must provide these restrictions to our firm in writing.
Structured Products
Adaptation Financial may recommend structured notes and exchange-traded funds that utilize
structured or defined outcome investment strategies as part of a client’s investment portfolio.
These investments may be recommended when Adaptation Financial determines that their
characteristics align with the client's investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial circumstances,
liquidity needs, and investment horizon. Adaptation Financial does not represent that structured
products are appropriate for all client accounts.
Investing in securities involves the risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. The
investment performance and success of any particular investment cannot be predicted or
guaranteed, and the value of a client’s investments will fluctuate due to market conditions and
other factors. Investments are subject to various risks, including, but not limited to, market
liquidity, currency, and economic and political risks, and may not necessarily be profitable. Past
performance of investments is not indicative of future performance.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, Adaptation Financial has $233,603,057 in assets under management on
a discretionary basis.
Wrap Fees and Compensation
Total Assets Under Management
Annual Fee
$500,000 to $1,500,000
1.00%
$1,500,001 to $3,499,999
.85%
2
$3,500,000 and above
.60%
The table above is not a stair-step arrangement. This fee schedule applies to all account types. For
example, if a household has three accounts, regardless of type or registration, totaling $2,000,000,
the fee percentage on the accounts would be 0.85%. If the household had four accounts, regardless
of type or registration, totaling $3,600,000, the fee percentage on the accounts would be 0.60%.
Upon receiving the Client’s written authorization, fees will be automatically deducted from the
Client’s account. Clients are provided with a statement, at the very least, on a quarterly frequency
from the custodian, reflecting the deduction of the advisory fee. In certain cases, and with client
consent, fees will be deducted from an associated account rather than the account for which the
fees are charged.
In certain circumstances, advisory fees and account minimums may be negotiable based upon prior
relationships as well as related account holdings. Family members or friends may receive a reduced
fee or no fee.
We move client assets into cash when we think it is a wise allocation to protect you against loss of
your investment. It is also possible that cash in your account will not earn any return. We do not
charge advisory fees on the balance of money market fund securities or other cash equivalents held
within your portfolio. As you invest more assets in the program, the amount of fees we collect will
increase; therefore, there could be an incentive to encourage you to increase your assets.
The specific way Adaptation Financial charges fees is established in the client’s written agreement.
Adaptation Financial will bill its Wrap Fee Program fees on a quarterly basis, in advance, based
upon the market value of the household assets, on the last day of the previous quarter, as valued
by the Custodian. Management fees are not prorated for each capital contribution and withdrawal
made during the applicable calendar quarter. Accounts initiated or terminated during a calendar
quarter will be charged a prorated fee. Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned
fees will be promptly refunded, and any earned, unpaid fees will be due and payable.
The term of engagement will be ongoing, as set forth in the Advisory Agreement. For ongoing
agreements, clients will be responsible for ensuring that Adaptation Financial has been timely
informed of changes in investment objectives and risk tolerance.
Clients will have the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments that
will be made on the client’s behalf. Clients will retain individual ownership of all securities. All
fees are subject to negotiation, as stated above, when discussing the basis of the negotiability of
fees.
3
Transaction Fees and Expenses
The advisory wrap fee is exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, custodial
fees and other related costs and expenses that are customary and usual and generally incurred by
clients in non-wrap advisory relationships. However, clients may incur certain charges for any
margin, option, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage
accounts and securities transactions. or legal fees in their custodial account as set forth in the
custodial agreement.
Additionally, all advisory wrap fees paid to Adaptation Financial for portfolio management
services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds to their
shareholders. These fees and expenses are described in each fund’s prospectus. Such fees will
generally include a management fee, other fund expenses, and a possible distribution fee. If the
fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay an additional or deferred sales charge. The
account may be subject to ancillary charges, such as margin interest or account fees, such as
transfer costs, which are not included in the wrap fee. Clients may also incur certain charges
imposed by third parties other than Adaptation Financial in connection with investments made
through the account, including but not limited to no-load mutual fund 12b-l distribution fees (trail
commissions), certain deferred sales charges on previously purchased mutual funds, and IRA and
Qualified Retirement Plan fees.
A client could invest in a mutual fund directly, without the services of Adaptation Financial. In
that case, the client would not receive the services provided by Adaptation Financial, which are
designed, among other things, to assist the clients in determining which mutual fund or funds are
most appropriate to the client’s financial condition and objectives. Accordingly, the client should
review both the fees charged by the funds and the fees charged by Adaptation Financial to fully
understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the client and to thereby evaluate the advisory
services being provided.
Important Information Regarding Fees
The Wrap Fee Program may cost you more or less than purchasing such services separately.
This depends on the amount of trading in your account and the value of your accounts, as well as
the type of investments selected. Clients are encouraged to compare the costs they may incur in
this Wrap Fee Program vs. a typical investment management account, as the anticipated level of
trading activity will impact on the costs associated with each type of arrangement.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Under this Wrap Fee Program, clients pay a single fee for discretionary investment
management services and trade execution costs and, in certain instances, other services such as
custody, recordkeeping and reporting. You do not pay separately for commissions for each trade
we execute in this type of account. Instead, we incur the cost of executing securities transactions.
This creates a conflict of interest because Adaptation Financial is incentivized to initiate fewer
4
trades in your Wrap Program Fee Account to minimize its expenses. To manage this conflict of
interest, we monitor account activity to help identify inactivity.
Termination
The relationship between parties may be terminated by either party upon 5 days’ written notice.
Notwithstanding the above, if the appropriate disclosure statement was not delivered to the client
at least 48 hours prior to the client entering into any written or oral advisory agreement with this
investment adviser, then the client has the right to terminate the relationship, without penalty,
within five (5) business days after entering into the agreement. If the relationship is terminated in
the middle of a month or quarter, and the client has prepaid the advisory fee, Adaptation Financial
will reimburse the client a percentage of the unearned prepaid fee, on a pro rata basis.
Special Situations
With respect to employee-related accounts, the quarterly fees are generally lower. Additionally,
Adaptation Financial may charge less for certain client accounts, depending upon a number of
factors, such as portfolio size, length of employment, and relationship to the employee.
Custody
Adaptation Financial does not hold client assets. Instead, we require all client assets be maintained
in an account at a non-affiliated “qualified custodian,” generally a broker-dealer. The custodian
will hold your assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities on your behalf. For our
clients’ accounts that the custodian maintains, the custodian charges an asset-based fee that covers
trading fees and custody services. As part of the Wrap Fee Program, Adaptation Financial has
chosen to absorb these costs that would otherwise be paid by the client. Fees applicable to our
client accounts were negotiated based on the condition that our clients collectively maintain a
certain level of assets at the custodian. We feel this commitment benefits you because we expect
the overall rates for fees you pay to be lower than they might be otherwise.
For execution of securities transactions that are custodied by Pershing, LLC (“Pershing”) and or
National Financial Services (“NFS”), Adaptation Financial utilizes Cambridge Investment
Research, Inc. (“Cambridge”). Cambridge introduces its securities clients and transactions on a
fully disclosed basis through Pershing and NFS. Adaptation utilizes Pershing, NFS, Charles
Schwab & Co. (“Schwab”), and Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services (“Fidelity”) as custodians
of client portfolio assets (collectively referred to as “Custodians”).
For Clients wishing to have their Advisory Representative implement their investment advice, in
their capacities as registered representatives, their broke-/dealer Cambridge will be used.
Cambridge has a wide range of approved securities products for which Cambridge performs due
diligence when selecting. Cambridge’s registered representatives are required to adhere to these
products when implementing securities transactions. The commissions earned for these products
may be higher or lower than commissions earned through another broker/dealer.
5
The Custodians and Cambridge are independent and unaffiliated registered broker-dealers, and are
members of FINRA, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). and the National
Futures Association (“NFA”). Clients are free to select any Custodian utilized by Adaptation
Financial.
Retirement Accounts – DOL Disclosure
We are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 (“ERISA”) and/or the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), as applicable, when we provide
investment advice regarding portfolio assets held in an IRA, Roth IRA, Archer Medical Savings
Account, a Plan covered by ERISA, or a plan described in Section 4975(e)(1)(A) of the Code
(collectively referred to sometimes herein as “Retirement Accounts”).
To ensure that Adaptation Financial will adhere to fiduciary norms and basic standards of fair
dealing, we are required to give advice that is in the "best interest" of the retirement client. The
best interest standard has two chief components, prudence and loyalty. Under the prudence
standard, the advice must meet a professional standard of care, and under the loyalty standard, our
advice must be based on the interests of our retirement clients, rather than the potential competing
financial interests of Adaptation Financial.
To address conflicts of interest related to our compensation, we must act in your best interest and
not put our interests ahead of yours. To this end, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give
prudent advice).
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal
advice).
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments.
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best
interest.
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
Item 5 – Account Requirements and Types of Clients
To invest in the Wrap Fee Program, a Client’s household must have assets under management
totaling $500,000, or greater. Types of clients we typically manage wrap fee accounts on behalf of
include:
Individuals
•
• Families
6
• High net worth individuals
• High net worth families
• Pension and profit-sharing plans (other than participants)
• Charitable organizations
• Trusts
• Estates
• Private business owners
• Public company affiliates
• Private foundations
Item 6 – Portfolio Manager Selection and Evaluation
Portfolio Manager Selection
Overview
Our investment advisor representatives (“Advisors”) serve as portfolio managers for clients
in the Wrap Fee Program. Our Advisors are not subject to the same selection and review as third-
party portfolio managers that would participate in our Wrap Fee Program. We have chosen not to
utilize third-party portfolio managers.
Related Persons Acting as Portfolio Manager
As noted, our Advisors function as portfolio managers for the Wrap Fee Program. This
creates a conflict of interest in that we are recommending that you invest in a program that we
manage. To mitigate this risk, we evaluate the overall cost of our services in the Wrap Fee Program
and in a standard advisory account, for which clients pay separately for tickets and custodial fees.
Based on this analysis, we would then make a recommendation as to which account would be
appropriate for an advisory client. There is no difference between how we manage assets in our
Wrap Fee Program and those assets in a non-wrap advisory program.
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Adaptation Financial does not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital
gains on or capital appreciation of the assets of a client), nor does it engage in side-by-side
management.
7
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Analysis Methods
Security analysis methods utilized by Adaptation Financial include the following:
Charting
Charting analysis seeks to identify resistance and support reference prices for
decisions to buy (price hits the support) or sell (price hits the resistance). Through charting, the
analysis seeks to identify price patterns and market trends in financial markets. Charting may apply
to long-term investing or be used as a market-timing strategy, depending on the timeframe of the
price charts.
Fundamental
Fundamental analysis maintains that markets may misprice a security in the short
run, but that the correct price will eventually be reached by the market. The fundamental analysis
of a business involves examining its financial statements and health, management and competitive
advantages, and competitors and markets. When applied to futures and forex, it focuses on the
overall state of the economy, interest rates, production, earnings, and management.
Technical
Technical analysis maintains that all information is already reflected in the stock
price. Technical analysis is a discipline for forecasting the direction of prices through the study of
past market data, primarily price and volume. Generally, technical analysis employs models and
trading rules based on price and volume transformations, such as the relative strength index,
moving averages, regressions, inter-market and intra-market price correlations, business cycles,
stock market cycles or, classically, through recognition of chart patterns.
Cyclical
Cyclical analysis generally targets cyclical stocks for purchase of equity securities
when the ratio of price-to-earnings (P/E Ratio) is low and sell them when the P/E Ratio is high
(i.e., when earnings are peaking). The P/E Ratio is a measure of the price paid for a share relative
to the annual net income or profit earned by the firm per share.
Sources of Information
Some of the sources of information that Adaptation Financial uses to analyze these
investment strategies are newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and news services to evaluate the
economic environment and the prospects for specific securities, including mutual funds. In
addition, Adaptation Financial also relies upon outside consultants to provide evaluations of
specific securities and the prospects of various sectors of the economy. In some cases, Adaptation
Financial may visit the corporate headquarters of investment sponsors, or the sites of investment
8
projects to refine its understanding of sponsors, investments, and the investment environment.
Additionally, Adaptation Financial may obtain information from websites.
Investment Strategies
The investment strategies Adaptation Financial uses to implement any investment advice
given to clients include the following:
•
•
•
•
Long-term Purchases (securities held at least a year).
Short-term purchases (securities sold within a year).
Trading (securities sold within 30 days).
Option writing, including covered options, uncovered options, or spreading
strategies.
Investment Strategy Risks
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. All
investment programs have certain risks borne by the investor. Our investment approach seeks to
keep the risk of loss in mind. Investors face the following investment risks:
General Risks
Lack of Diversification: Portfolio investments may be concentrated, limiting
diversification. There are no limits with respect to position sizes. Any assets or combination of
assets that can be held in a securities account can be purchased or sold.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Accounts may maintain significant cash positions
from time to time, and the client will pay the Investment Management Fee based on the net asset
value of the Account, including cash and cash equivalents. Furthermore, the Account may forego
investment opportunities to hold cash positions if we consider it in the best interests of the
Accounts.
Interest Rate Fluctuation: The prices of securities in which the Advisor may invest
are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, and unexpected fluctuations in interest rates could cause
the corresponding prices of the long and short portions of a position to move in directions that
were not initially anticipated. In addition, interest rate increases generally will increase the interest-
carrying costs of borrowed securities and leveraged investments.
Long-term Purchases (securities held at least a year)
Liquidity: The portfolio may be invested in liquid and illiquid securities. You
should be aware that liquid securities may become less liquid during the holding period.
9
Short-term purchases (securities sold within a year)
Market Risks: The success of a significant portion of the program will depend, to
a great extent, upon correctly assessing the future course of the price movements of the securities
traded. There can be no assurance that the trading program will be able to predict accurately these
price movements. Additionally, over time, the effectiveness of the trading program may decline,
including due to other market participants developing similar programs or techniques.
Trading (securities sold within 30 days)
Market Risks: The success of a significant portion of a trading program will
depend, to a great extent, upon correctly assessing the future course of the price movements of the
securities traded. There can be no assurance that the trading program will be able to predict these
price movements accurately. Additionally, over time, the effectiveness of the trading program may
decline for many reasons, including other market participants developing similar programs or
techniques.
Trading is Speculative: There are risks involved in trading securities. Market
movements are difficult to predict and are influenced by, among other things, government trade,
fiscal, monetary, and exchange control programs and policies; changing supply and demand
relationships; national and international political and economic events; changes in interest rates;
and the inherent volatility of the marketplace. In addition, from time-to-time Governments
intervene, directly and by regulation, in certain markets, often with the intent to influence prices
directly. The effects of governmental intervention may be particularly significant at certain times
in the financial instrument markets, and such intervention (as well as other factors) may cause
these markets to move rapidly.
Turnover: Our trading activities may be made based on short-term market
considerations. The portfolio turnover rate could be significant, potentially involving substantial
brokerage commissions, and related transactional fees and expenses.
Utilization of Alternative Investments
Alternative investment products, including hedge funds, commodity hedged
accounts and managed futures, involve a high degree of risk, often engage in leveraging and other
speculative investment practices that may increase the risk of investment loss, can be highly
illiquid, are not required to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors, may
involve complex tax structures and delays in distributing important tax information, are not subject
to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds, often charge high fees which may offset any
trading profits, and in many cases the underlying investments are not transparent and are known
only to the investment manager.
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. Such risks
include market risk, interest rate risk, currency risk, political risk, and loss of capital, among others.
10
Additionally, certain trading strategies can affect investment performance through increased
brokerage and other transaction costs. Each client’s propensity for risk, however, is thoroughly
evaluated, documented, and considered throughout the portfolio implementation process.
Although Adaptation Financial intends to manage risk through the careful selection of investments,
no investment strategy can assure a profit or avoid a loss.
Structured Notes and Structured Outcome ETF’s
Adaptation may recommend structured notes and structured outcome exchange-traded
funds. Structured notes are debt securities issued by financial institutions whose returns are linked
to the performance of an underlying security, index, basket of securities, interest rate, commodity,
currency, or other referenced asset. Depending on their terms, structured notes may include caps,
buffers, barriers, participation rates, or other features that may limit returns or expose clients to
losses. Structured notes are subject to issuer credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk,
and the potential loss of principal. Structured notes may have limited secondary markets and be
difficult to sell prior to maturity. Clients should review the applicable offering documents before
investing.
ETFs generally use options or other derivatives to seek a specified investment outcome over a
defined period, which may include downside protection or a buffer in exchange for limited upside
potential through a cap. Investment results may vary depending on when shares are purchased or
sold relative to the applicable outcome period. The stated protection is not a guarantee against loss,
and investors may lose money. These ETFs are also subject to risks associated with derivatives,
market volatility, liquidity, valuation, trading at a premium or discount to net asset value, and the
possibility that the intended investment outcome will not be achieved.
Information Security Risk
Clients may be susceptible to risks to the confidentiality and security of Adaptation
Financials’ operations and proprietary and customer information. Information risks, including theft
or corruption of electronically stored data, denial of service attacks on our website or websites of
our third-party service providers, and the unauthorized release of confidential information, are a
few of the more common risks faced by other investment advisors and us. Data security breaches
of our electronic data infrastructure could have the effect of disrupting our operations and
compromising our customers’ confidential and personally identifiable information. Such breaches
could result in an inability for us to conduct business, potential losses, including identity theft and
theft of investment funds from customers, and other adverse consequences to customers. We have
taken and will continue to take steps to detect and limit the risks associated with these threats.
11
Voting Client Securities
As a matter of our policy and practice, Adaptation Financial does not have any authority to, and
does not vote proxies on behalf of advisory clients. Clients retain the responsibility for receiving
and voting proxies for all securities maintained in client portfolios.
Item 7 – Client Information Provided to Portfolio Managers
Initially, Adaptation Financial will consult with prospective clients to determine their financial
position, investment goals and objectives (e.g., risk tolerance and time horizon), investment
limitations, reasonable investment restrictions, and risk tolerance (collectively “Client Profile”).
The Client Profile is used to help determine the clients’ investment needs. At least annually,
Adaptation Financial will contact clients to determine whether they have had any changes to their
Client Profile. Should changes occur to a Client’s Profile before the annual conference call or
meeting, it is the client’s responsibility to contact Adaptation Financial as soon as possible.
Item 8 – Client Contact with Portfolio Managers
There are no restrictions placed on Adaptation Financials clients’ ability to contact and consult
with their Advisor, who functions as their portfolio manager. Each portfolio manager will be
reasonably available to you for joint consultation along, regarding your financial situation and
objectives, and the management by the respective portfolio manager of your investment portfolio.
Client should communicate any changes in investment objectives and restrictions, as well as
changes in financial condition, to your Adaptation Financial portfolio manager.
Item 9 – Additional Information
Disciplinary
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of Adaptation Financial or the
integrity of Adaptation Financials management. Adaptation Financial has no information which
is applicable to this Item.
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Insurance Agent
Advisors of Adaptation Financial are licensed insurance agents and appointed by various
insurance companies to offer their products. If you purchase insurance products through our
investment advisor representative acting in his or her capacity as an insurance agent, they will
receive normal commissions, which will be in addition to customary advisory fees. Clients are
12
under no obligation to act upon any recommendations or purchase any insurance products through
our investment advisor representatives. Insurance products that generate a commission are not
included in assets under management by Adaptation Financial.
Registered Representative of a Broker-Dealer
Some Advisors of Adaptation Financial are associated with Cambridge as Registered
Representatives. Cambridge is a broker-dealer engaged in the offer and sale of securities products.
Our Advisors may recommend the purchase of securities offered by Cambridge. If you purchase
these products through them, they will receive normal commissions, which may be in addition to
customary advisory fees. As such, they may have an incentive to sell you commissionable products
in addition to providing you with advisory services when such commissionable products may not
be suitable. Although our Advisors’ security sales are reviewed for suitability by an appointed
supervisor, you should be aware of the incentives they have to sell certain securities products and
are encouraged to ask them about any conflict presented.
Code of Ethics
Adaptation Financial has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all our supervised persons,
describing our high standard of business conduct and fiduciary duty to its clients. The Code of
Ethics includes provisions relating to the confidentiality of client information, a prohibition on
insider trading, a prohibition of rumor mongering, restrictions on the acceptance of significant gifts
and the reporting of certain gifts and business entertainment items, and personal securities trading
procedures, among other things. All supervised persons at Adaptation Financial must acknowledge
the terms of the Code of Ethics annually, or as amended.
Subject to satisfying this policy and applicable laws, officers, directors, and employees of
Adaptation Financial and its affiliates are allowed to trade for their own accounts in securities that
are recommended to and/or purchased for our clients. The Code of Ethics is designed to ensure
that the personal securities transactions, activities, and interests of the employees of Adaptation
Financial will not interfere with (i) making decisions in the best interest of advisory clients and (ii)
implementing such decisions while, at the same time, allowing employees to invest for their own
accounts. Under the Code of Ethics, certain classes of securities have been designated as exempt
transactions, based upon a determination that these would not materially interfere with the best
interests of our clients. In addition, the Code of Ethics requires pre-clearance of many transactions
and restricts trading in close proximity to client trading activity. Nonetheless, because the Code of
Ethics in some circumstances would permit employees to invest in the same securities as clients,
there is a possibility that employees might benefit from market activity by a client in a security
held by an employee. Employee trading is continually monitored under the Code of Ethics, and to
reasonably prevent conflicts of interest between Adaptation Financial and its clients.
13
Personal Trading
Adaptation Financial and our related persons are allowed to purchase and sell securities for their
own account. To prevent conflicts of interest, all employees of Adaptation Financial must comply
with our Code of Ethics, which imposes restrictions on the purchase or sale of securities for their
own accounts and the accounts of certain affiliated persons.
Certain affiliated accounts are allowed to trade in the same securities with client accounts on an
aggregated basis when consistent with our obligation of best execution. In such circumstances, the
affiliated and client accounts will share commission costs equally and receive securities at a total
average price. We will retain records of the trade order (specifying each participating account) and
its allocation, which will be completed prior to the entry of the aggregated order.
Adaptation financials clients or prospective clients may request a copy of our Code of Ethics by
contacting Alan P. Niemann or Mitch Robinson.
Review of Accounts
Accounts are generally reviewed no less than quarterly and compare each investment on a
transaction basis to ensure that each transaction is: (i) suitable to the respective client’s investment
objectives; (ii) meets that client’s quality standards; and (iii) to make sure that their investment
objectives are still pertinent to the managed account arrangement. More frequent reviews can be
triggered by material changes in variables such as the client’s individual circumstances or the
market's economic or political environment.
Reports
Clients will receive reports at least quarterly from the Custodian of their accounts. This quarterly
report will show beginning and ending values and all transactions executed during the time period,
as well as deposits and withdrawals from the Account. You are encouraged to compare any reports
or statements provided by us, or a third-party money manager against the account statements
delivered from the qualified custodian. When you have questions about your account statement,
you should contact our firm and the qualified custodian preparing the statement.
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Adaptation Financial does not compensate any outside parties for client referrals, nor do we receive
any compensation or non-cash economic benefit for client referrals.
Adaptation, however, receives economic benefits from our custodian in the form of the support
products and services that are made available to other independent investment advisors and us.
These products and services, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts of interest, are described
in Item 12 of Form ADV Part 2A Brochure.
14
Discretion
Discretionary assets are the assets with which we have the authority to determine whether to buy
or sell securities. This authority is called a trading authorization. Non-discretionary assets are
assets in accounts that we provide recommendations on, as to the purchase or sale of specific
securities. We do not place orders to buy or sell non-discretionary assets without first receiving
your authorization. (See Form ADV Part 2A Brochure, Item 16 for more details)
Financial Information
We are required to provide you with certain financial information or disclosures about our financial
condition, which would impede our ability to provide the advisory services described herein. To
that end, the assets and revenues of Adaptation were pledged as collateral as a part of the
acquisition financing of our affiliate, MDK Financial Group, Inc. Notwithstanding that financial
commitment, which is current and being paid as agreed, Adaptation Financial has no other
financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to
clients and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
Item 10– Requirements for State-Registered Advisers
Adaptation Financial has no additional information that is applicable to this item.
15